Therese franz and henri janssen



.T. FRANZ & H. JA'NS'SEN. 'florset-Olasp.

N6. 227,513. Patented May 11, 1880.

WI'ILNESSES INVENTORL ATTORNEYS.

".FETERE. PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER. WASHING'TQN. D. C-

UNITED STATES PATENT @rrrcn.

.THERESE FRANZ AND HENRI JANSSEN, OF BERLIN, PRUSSIA, GERMANY;

SAID'FRANZ ASSIGNOR TO SAID JANSSEN.

CO RS ET-CLAS P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 227,513, dated May 11,1880, Application filed January 10, 1880.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, Mrs. THERESE FRANZ andHENRI JANssEN, both of the city of Berlin, in the Kingdom of Prussia,German Empire, have invented Improvements in Corset-Clasps, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in corset-clasps by which thecorset may be conveniently opened to a considerable distance, either atthe stomach or at the abdomen, or at any other part of the body, for thepurpose of relieving the same of pressure, whenever desired, withoutnecessitating the opening of the dress. The corset remains closed aboveand below the part opened, so that it retains the proper form on thebody, it being also readily closed again without inconvenience wheneverdesired, so as to fit tightly to the body.

The invention consists in dividing both busks or steels of the corsetinto sections and connecting the sections by pivots at the part where itis desired to open the corset. The busks are locked at the terminals bythe usual clasps, while the pivoted sections are connected at the pointwhere the temporary opening of the corset is desired by a lever claspdevice for opening or closing the corset.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a front elevation ofour improved corset-clasp, shown as opened above the stomach; and Figs.2 and 3 are front views of a corset with the clasp respectively in openand closed position.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A A in the drawings are the corset busks or springs, which are made ofsteel or other metal, whalebone, or other suitable material, and dividedinto three parts or sections, a I) d. These sections are jointed to eachother by pivotal connections, the pivoted sections being arranged atthat part of the corset where the same is to he opened-namely, either atthe stomach, abdomen, or other part of the body.

The busks A A are closed at the upper and lower parts by common clasps,while the connection of thepivoted sections is accomplished by a claspdevice, B, which is clearly shown in Fig. 1. The clasp B is providedwith two arc-shaped slots, 6 and e, which are guided, respectively, onheaded studs ffof the pivoted sections 1) b. The clasp device B isprovided at the end with a handle, g, while the slot c has anenlargement, 6 at the inner end, by which the clasp B may be entirelydisconnected from the stud f.

When it is desired to open the corset, so as to relieve any disagreeablepressure of the same on the stomach or abdomen, the handle is taken holdof outside of the dress, which can be'readily done without opening thedress, and the clasp then turned by its arc-shaped slots on the studsfrom its closed position in line with the busks (shown in Fig. 2) intothe open transverse position, (shown in Figs. 1 and 3,) producingthereby the spreading apart of the corset at that point to the distanceof two inches, more or less, and relieving thereby instantly any pain orinconvenience produced by the pressure of the corset.

By attaching a cord to the handle of the clasp and pulling the same theopening of the corset may be facilitated. For closing the corset theclasp is carried back into its former position in the same manner asbefore described.

As the corset is kept closed by the clasps at the ends of the busks itretains its tight fit on the body even when opened at the stomach orabdomen, While it gives relief Whenever a painful or unhealthy pressureis exerted on the stomach, abdomen, or other part of the body thereby.

We are aware that corset-clasps consisting of two busks, each of whichis made of pivoted husk-sections, are well known, and we therefore layno claim to the same, broadly.

Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent- 1. As an improvement in corset-clasps, the

combination of the pivoted husk-sections a b In testimony whereof wehave signed our 10 (I, having the customary end clasps and studs namesto this specification in the presence of f f, with a lever clasp deviceB, having arctwo subscribing witnesses.

shaped slots 0 e and a handle, 9, substantially THERESE FRANZ asspecified.

3. In a corset-clasp, the husk-connecting HENRI JANSSEN' clasp device B,having arc-shaped slots 00, the latter slot having an enlargement, 0 andhaving a handle, g, substantially as described.

Witnesses BERTHOLD R01, CARL FEHLERT.

